Control apparatus



Feb. 13, 1934. H. HOLLERITH, JR

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1927 (lttornegs Patented Feb. 13, 1934CONTROL APPARATUS Herman Hollerith, Jr., Riverton, N. J., assignor, bymesne assignments, to Radio Corporation of America, New York, N. Y., acorporation of Delaware Application December 17, 1927 Serial No. 240,861

20 Claims.

This invention relates to remote control apparatus, and particularly toa remote control apparatus which is available for use in conjunctionwith radio apparatus, although not limited to such use.

Various means have heretofore been proposed whereby an element to becontrolled may be caused to follow the movements of a control ele mentat a distance therefrom, but such devices m have been open to variousobjections. Numerous types 01 mechanical connectionse -for example,flexible shafts, cords and pulleys, etc.-have been employed for thispurpose, but such devices lack flexibility of control and mobility ofthe remote control element, and involve many mechanical diflicultieswhich generally preclude their successful use. Various types ofelectrical control systems have likewise been devised, but such systemshave involved expensive and troublesome complications in wiring andequipment. In general, expensive and cumbersome equipment has beenrequired, such as electric motors or similar prime mover units,combined, for example, with suitable clutch means or reversiblecontrols, etc. Where a plurality of distant elements are to becontrolled, these systems involve electrical complications andconsequent maintenance difiiculties which render them commerciallyimpracticable.

One oi the objects of the present invention is to obviate the abovedisadvantages and to provide a simple and efiicient system which isreliable in operation and of inexpensive construction.

Another object is to provide novel means for causing a distant elementto follow the movements of a remote control element.

Another object is to provide novel means wherein the movement of asingle remote control element simultaneously controls a plurality ofdistant elements.

A further object is to provide a remote control system having remoteunit control means and remote individual control means.

A still further object is to provide a remote control system capable ofindependent as well as conjoint control of the controlled elements.

Another object is to provide a remote control for radio receiverssuitable for use in present day radio sets without undue complexityarising from the need of controlling a multiplicity of elements.

Another object is to provide a remote control apparatus operable byalternating current such as ordinary house lighting current.

Other objects will appear as the description of the invention proceeds.

(Cl. ZED-40) With the above objects in view, a plurality of solenoidcoils, each having associated therewith a movable armature, areconnected in parallel across any suitable source of alternating current,for example, ordinary house lighting current, and the center points ofthe coils are connected by any suitable circuit means.

If any one of said armatures be moved relatively to its coil, a changein the flow of current through each of the other coils in the systemwill be produced, which will cause a movement of each remaining armaturerelative to its coil. If the coils and armatures and other conditionsare substantially the same, the movements oi. all of the armatures willbe substantially equal and corresponding, and for any given conditions,a definite relation will always exist between the positions of eacharmature relative to the others.

Therefore, if one or the electrical constants thereof.

Variable inductances, for example, inserted in the individual circuits,can be made to produce a supplemental change of the currentflowing'through said circuits and thereby cause a supplemental orVernier adjustment of the individual armatures.

Such a system is obviously suitable for a wide variety of purposesincluding any kind of distant indication or control-for example,telemetric control apparatus, distant gauge indication, control meansfor ordnance apparatus, and many others.

The invention is particularly well adapted for the distant control ofradio apparatus, and the accompanying drawing shows, more or lessschematically, for purposes of exemplification, the invention as appliedto a typical radio receiving circuit. It will be expressly understood,however, that the invention is not limited to this embodiment orapplication thereof, reference being had to the appended claims for adefinition of the limits of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown diagrammatically a typicalradio receiving circuit comprising two stages of radio amplification anda detector.

The receiver is provided with the usual antenna to ground circuit 1,having coupled thereto an oscillating circuit comprising an inductance 2and variable condenser 3, said oscillating circuit being connectedacross the grid and filament of a vacuum tube 4. The plate circuit ofthe tube 4 is coupled by the transformer 5 with an oscillating circuitcomprising the secondary of said transformer and a variable condenser 6.Said oscillating circuit is connected to the grid and filament of tube7, the plate circuit of which is coupled by a transformer 8 with anoscillating circuit comprising the secondary of said transformer and avariable condenser 9. Said oscillating circuit is connected to the gridand filament of a detector tube 10, which is shown as having a feedbackcoil 11, and. output transformer 12. It will be understood that theparticular circuit above described is shown merely for the purpose ofillustration and constitutes no part of the present invention.

For the purpose of controlling the three variable tuning elements,namely, the variable condensers 3, 6 and 9 from a remote point, saidelements are connected by a remote control system, such as hereinbeforedescribed, with a suitable remote control and indicating means. In theform shown, said system comprises the solenoids 13, 14 and 15, which areconnected by any suitable means with the said variable condensers, andthe solenoid 16 which is similarly connected with the remote controlelement. Said solenoids are preferably connected in parallel across anysuitable source of alternating current, which may be supplied, forexample, by a connector plug 12, adapted to be connected to a houselighting circult. One end of each solenoid coil is connected to one side18 of the circuit and the other ends of said coils are connected byindividual wires 19, 20, 21 and 22 with a common point 23 in the otherside of the circuit. The center points of each coil are connectedtogether by any suitable means such as the circuit 24.

In the form shown, wherein each of the condensers and the controlelement is of a rotary type, the solenoid armatures are connected tosaid rotary elements by means of rack bars 25, gearing with pinions 26mounted on the respective shafts of said rotary elements. The solenoids13, 14 and 15 are preferably provided with any suitable means fornormally maintaining the armatures thereof in their initial positions,such as the springs 27 interposed between pins 28 on the rack bars 25and pins 29 on the condenser supports. Any suitable means may beemployed for the purpose of maintaining the control element in anydesired position, such as suitable frictional or locking means.

The operation of the system is as followsz-- When the control element,which may comprise a suitable pointer 30 and dial 31, is rotated, therack bar 25 is moved by the pinion 26 and the armature of the solenoid16 is moved relative to its coil, thereby causing a change in the amountof current flowing lirough each solenoid in the system. The variation inthe current through solenoids 13, 14 and 15 causes a movement of each ofthe respective armatures and reel: bars 25, whereby the movable platesof the variable condensers 3, 6 and 9 are similarly rotated. Ashereinbefore pointed out, if the solenoids armatures are allsubstantially the same, the said armatures will occupy at all timescorresponding positions and the movements of the three vari ablecondensers will follow the movements of pointer 30 in predeterminedrelation.

For the purpose of providing for moving certain or all of the variabletuning elements individually, any suitable independently variable meansmay be included in certain or all of the parallel solenoid circuits forchanging the electrical characteristics thereof. In the form shown, thecondensers 3 and 5 are made independently variable by means of anysuitable variable incluctances 32 and 33, preferably connected respectively in the wires 19 and 20. Said variable inductances arepreferably combined with the control element 30 and its solenoid 16 atthe remote control station, and said elements may be, if desired,combined and mounted in a suitable control box indicateddiagrammatically at 3 The system above described provides a remotecontrol apparatus which is very simple and inexpensive and yet reliableand efficient in operation. The system is capable of expansion to anydesired number of elements, merely by the connection of additionalsolenoids in parallel across the circuit. The individual elements of thesystem are few and are of standard character, and therefore readilyattainable and of comparatively small cost. The apparatus at the remotecontrol station and the apparatus connected with the elements to becontrolled are entirely separate except for the provision of connectingwires, which are few in number and may be readily combined in. a singleflexible cable. It will likewise be observed that this system provides aremote unit control apparatus, whereby a plurality of elements may besimultaneously controlled from a single remote element, combined with aremote individual control apparatus whereby the said distant elementsmay be controlled individually from the remote control station, saidremote individual control being independent of the unit control orsupplemental thereto. The latter feature is of particular importance inconnection with radio apparatus, since owing to slight differences inthe electrical values of the tuning capacities it is usually necessaryto provide for small Vernier adjustments of the tuning elements. Theinvention is not restricted to the uses hereinbefore pointed out, but assuggested is capable of application to any kind of remote control. Forexample, in connection with electrical apparatus, other electricalelements, as inductances, resistances, etc., may be controlledthereby-"such as volume controls, filament controls, and many others.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in thedrawing, it will be rcadily understood that the invention is capable ofa wide variety of applications and that changes in the construction,arrangement and assembly of the parts, which will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, may be made without departing from the spiritof the invention. Reference is therefore to be had to the appendedclaims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:-

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof solenoids connected in parallel circuits across a source ofalternating current, a circuit connecting the center points of saidsolenoids, movable core members for each of said solenoids, and meansindependent of said solenoids for varying the electrical constants ofcertain of said parallel circuits.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a source ofalternating current, a plurality of solenoids connected in parallelcircuits across said source, a circuit connecting the center points ofsaid solenoids, movable core members for said solenoids, wherebymovement of one of said members causes related movements of theremaining members, and variable inductance means in certain of saidparallel circuits to control said members individually.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof parallel circuits supplied from a source of alternating current, eachcircuit including a coil having a movable magnetic core, a circuitconnecting the center points of said coils, means for moving one of saidcores to cause related movements of the remaining cores, andindependently variable current controlling means in certain of saidcircuits.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof solenoid coils connected in parallel circuits across a source ofalternating current, each of said coils having similar electricalcharacteristics, a circuit connecting the center points of said coils,movable core members for said coils, whereby movement of one of saidcore members causes substantially equal and corresponding movements ofthe remaining core members, and supplemental means for independentlyvarying the electrical characteristics of certain of said circuits andthereby individually adjusting the respective core members.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof solenoid coils connected in parallel circuits across a source ofalternating current, each of said coils having similar electricalcharacteristics, a circuit connecting the center points of said coils,movable core members for said coils, whereby movement of one of saidcore members causes substantially equal and corresponding movements ofthe remaining core members, and variable inductance elements in certainof said circuits for individually adjusting the respective core members.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a controlelement, a plurality of members to be controlled thereby, a plurality ofsolenoid coils having similar electrical characteristics and connectedin parallel circuits across a source of alternating current, a circuitconnecting the center points of said coils, a movable core for eachcoil, means operatively connecting said control element and said memberseach with one of said cores, and means for independently varying theelectrical characteristics of certain of said parallel circuits.

'7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a controlelement, a plurality of members to be controlled thereby, a plurality ofsolenoid coils having similar electrical characteristics and connectedin parallel circuits across a source of alternating current, a circuitconnecting the center points of said coils, a movable core for eachcoil, means operatively connecting said control element and said memberseach with one of said cores, and variable inductance means in certain ofsaid parallel circuits.

8. In radio apparatus, the combination of a plurality of tuningelements, a control member therefor, a plurality of solenoids connectedin parallel across a source of alternating current, a circuit connectingthe center points of said solenoids, a movable core for each solenoid,and means operatively connecting each of said tuning elements and saidcontrol member to one of said movable cores, and independently variablecurrent controlling means in certain of said parallel circuits.

9. In radio apparatus, the combination of a plurality of tuningelements, a control member, a plurality of solenoids connected inparallel circuits across a source of alternating current, a circuitconnecting the center points of said solenoids, a movable core for eachsolenoid, a rack operatively connected to each core, a gear for eachtuning element and for said control member, said gears engaging saidracks, and variable inductance elements in certain of said circuits.

10. In radio apparatus, the combination of a plurality of tuningcapacities, a control member therefor, a plurality of solenoidsconnected in parallel circuits across a source of alternating current, acircuit connecting the center points of said solenoids, a movable corefor each solenoid, resilient means tending to maintain said cores innormal position, a rack operatively connected to each core, a pinion foreach capacity and for said control member, said pinions engaging saidracks, and independently variable inductance elements in certain of saidcircuits.

11. Remote control radio apparatus comprising in combination a pluralityof movable tuning elements, a single remote indicating and controllingmember, electrical transmission means associated with said member andwith said tuning elements to cause each of said tuning elements tofollow the movements of said indicating member, said transmission meansincluding a main alternating current circuit controlled by said memberand branch circuits connected therewith for supplying controllingcurrent for said elements, and supplemental remote control means in saidbranch circuits for individually adjusting said tuning elementsindependently of said member.

12. Remote control radio apparatus comprising in combination a pluralityof movable tuning elements, remote control means, including a singlemovable, electrical control element having an indicator, a balancedelectrical transmission means connecting said elements and indicatorwhereby movement of said indicator causes substantially equal movementsof each tuning element, said remote control means including separateindependently adjustable circuit impedance elements arranged to movecertain of said tuning elements individually.

13. In radio apparatus, the combination of a plurality of tuningelements, an individual electrical actuator for each of said elements,an alternating current electrical control circuit therefor includingvariable impedance, means for operating certain of said actuatorsindividually from a remote point, separate and independently variableelectrical impedance means in said circuit at said remote control pointfor operating all of said elements conjointly, and a single indicatingcontrol member for said last named means.

14. In a radio remote control system, the combination with a pluralityof individual movable control elements adjustable each throughsubstantially the same predetermined control range of operation, of aremotely located movable indicating control member therefor, a balancedsolenoid alternating current control system arranged to interconnectsaid movable control elements and said last named control member, saidsystem including individual control circuits in terposed between saidcontrol member and cer tain of said control elements, and individuallyadjustable circuit impedance means located in certain of said individualcircuits adjacent to said remote control member.

15. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof solenoids connected in parallel circuits across a source ofalternating current, a circuit lead connecting the center points of saidsolenoids, movable core members for each of said solenoids, and meansindependent of said solenoids for varying the circuit impedance ofcertain of said parallel circuits.

16. In a radio remote control system, the combination of a plurality ofsolenoids connected in parallel circuits across a source of alternatingcurrent, a movable core member for each of said solenoids, and meansindependent of said solenoids, for varying the circuit impedance ofcertain of said parallel circuits.

1'7. In a radio remote control system, the com bination of a pluralityof solenoids connected in parallel circuits across a source ofalternating current, a movable core member for each of said solenoids, acommon circuit lead connected with a tap point between the terminal endsof each solenoid, and means independent of said solenoids, for varyingthe circuit impedance of certain of said parallel circuits.

18. In a radio remote control. system, the combination of a plurality ofsolenoids connected in parallel circuits across a source of alternatingcurrent, a movable core member for each of said solenoids, a commoncircuit lead connected with a tap point between the terminal ends ofeach solenoid, whereby movement of one core causes a variation in thecurrent flow in said parallel circuits, and means independent of saidcore, for varying the current flow in certain of said parallel circuits.

19. Remote control radio apparatus comprising in combination, aplurality of movable tuning elements, a movable remote control member,electrical transmission means associated with said member and With saidtuning elements and being electrically interconnected to cause each ofsaid tuning elements to follow the movements of said control member,said transmission means including a main alternating current circuitcontrolled by said member and branch circuits connected therewith forsupplying controlling current for said elements, and supplemental remotecontrol means in said branch circuits for individually adiusting saidtuning elements independently of said member.

20. In radio apparatus, the combination of a plurality of tuningelements, an individual electrical actuator for each of said elements,an alternating current electrical control circuit therefor includingvariable impedance means for operating certain of said actuatorsindividually from a remote point, and separate and independentlyvariable electrical impedance means in said circuit at said remotecontrol point for operating all of said elements conjointly.

HERMAN HOLLERITH, JR.

